Key-operated solid-state timepieces

Abstract

A solid-state electronic timepiece in which the output of a high-frequency time base is divided down to produce low-frequency timing pulses that are applied to a display actuator adapted to selectively control a multi-digit electro-optic display to present the "time-of-day" and "seconds" as well as other aspects of time information such as calendar date and month. The actuator also serves to supply roll-over pulses to advance the display at a rapid rate for setting purposes. In order to selectively render the display effective in any one of the several aspects or in the setting mode therefor by means of a singlmdmanually-operated coding key, a mode selector is provided which is responsive to the key and operates in conjunction with the display actuator. Code signals produced by the key are decoded by the logic system to produce command signals that are fed to the actuator to cause the display to operate in the aspect mode to present the desired aspect or to operate in the setting mode.

We claim: 
     
       1. In a solid-state timepiece wherein timing pulses are applied to an electro-optic display through an electronic actuator having switching means for selectively energizing the display to present in an aspect mode various aspects of time information, each reading of which is settable by means of roll-over pulses serving to advance the reading at a rapid rate; apparatus for effecting selection in the aspect mode or for rendering the display operative in the setting mode, said apparatus comprising: (A) a manually-operated switching key which may be closed and thereafter released to produce code signals which depend on the length of time the key is closed and the number of key actions, and   (B) a mode selector operatively coupled to the switching means of said actuator and responsive to said code signals, said selector having logic means to decode said signals to produce respective command signals for effecting selective presentation of said aspects or for rendering said display operative in the setting mode.   
     
     
       2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said aspects include a time-of-day reading of hours and minutes, a reading of seconds and a reading of the calendar month, the code produced by the key including a distinct signal for each of said aspects as well as a signal for the setting mode. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said logic means in the setting mode operates in response to the related code signal to cause said display to step sequentially from reading-to-reading, and wherein in response to a closure of said key holds the reading then in effect which is then advanced by said roll-over pulses. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said mode selector includes a timer responsive to the key action to determine how long the key is closed. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein the mode selector includes a first counter responsive to the key action to determine how many times the key has been closed, and a second counter to determine how many times the key has been released. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said timer is adapted to determine whether the period in which the key is closed is shorter than a predetermined interval and thereby defines a code dot, or is longer than said interval and thereby defines a code dash. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said mode selector in response to a single dot produces a command signal to activate said time-of-day display. 
     
     
       8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said mode selector in response to a closure first produces a command signal to activate said time-of-day display and wherein when said closure is maintained to define a dash then produces a command signal to activate said seconds display. 
     
     
       9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said timing pulses are derived from a frequency divider coupled to a high-frequency time base, and said timer is responsive to clock pulses derived from said frequency divider. 
     
     
       10. A timepiece as set forth in claim 1, wherein said display is a multi-digit light-emitting diode display. 
     
     
       11. A timepiece as set forth in claim 1, wherein said display is a multi-digit liquid crystal display. 
     
     
       12. In a solid-state timepiece wherein timing pulses are applied to an electro-optic digital display through an electronic actuator in which the timing pulses are converted into binary values which are decoded to produce signals to activate the display, said actuator including first electronic switching means for selectively energizing the display to provide various aspects of time information, including a reading of hours, a reading of minutes, a reading of the calendar month and a reading of the calendar date, said actuator also including second electronic switching means for applying roll-over pulses to said display for advancing and setting any one of said readings; apparatus for operating said timepiece in the setting mode comprising a key-operated mode selector associated with said actuator and having logic means responsive to a first signal from the key to cause said first switching means to undergo a stepping action in which said readings are successively presented, said mode selector being responsive to a second signal from the key to hold the reading then in effect and to cause said second switching means to operate to apply roll-over pulses to the selected reading. 
     
     
       13. In a timepiece as set forth in claim 12, wherein with respect to one of said readings, when the key is released to arrest said roll-over pulses, the reading then in effect is held until the key is again operated. 
     
     
       14. In a timepiece as set forth in claim 12, wherein said display is a six digit liquid crystal display whose first four digits are adapted to present numeric data and whose two last two digits are adapted to present alpha-numeric data, said display having a first normally-on aspect in which the first two digits numerically present the hour, the second two digits numerically present the minutes and the last two digits numerically present the seconds, and a second normally-off aspect which is turned on by a code operation of said key, in which second aspect the first two digits numerically present the month, the second two digits numerically present the date and the last two digits in alpha terms present the day of the week. 
     
     
       15. In a timepiece as set forth in claim 14, wherein each sequentially presented numerical reading is presented by the first two or the second two digits and is accompanied by an identification thereof in alpha form in the last two digits. 
     
     
       16. In a timepiece as set forth in claim 11, wherein a colon is interposed in the display between the first two and second two digits, and wherein said colon is continuously presented in the aspect mode of the display and is caused to flash in the setting mode thereof. 
     
     
       17. In a solid-state timepiece having an electro-optic display adapted to present any one of a series of readings including hours and minutes, a key-operated electronic system for setting any one of the readings to a desired value, said system comprising: A means responsive to a first action of the key to cause the readings in the series to be presented by the display in a sequential stepping cycle in which each reading is displayed for a predetermined period before stepping to the next reading,   B means responsive to a second action of the key while the cycle is in progress to hold the reading then in effect and to cause said reading to advance at a relatively rapid rate, and   C means responsive to a third action of the key to stop any further advance of the held reading when it attains the desired value.   
     
     
       18. In a solid state timepiece provided with a multi-digit, electro-optic digital display and electronic means generating pulses to activate the digits of said display, the combination of an electronic display actuator responsive to said pulses and including electronic switching means for selectively energizing the digits of said display to present different aspects of information, a single manually-operated switching key which may be successively closed and released to produce distinctive code signals, each of which depends on the duration of and the number of key actions, and logic means responsive to said code signals and coupled to the electronic switching means of said display actuator, said logic means decoding said signals to produce respective command signals which are applied to said electronic switching means to selectively effect the presentation of the different aspects of information, whereby by manually operating said key to produce a distinctive code signal, a selected one of said aspects is presented by the display. 
     
     
       19. An electronic timepiece comprising: an electrooptical display means having a plurality of indicia thereon for separately indicating different time intervals;   a timekeeping circuit means coupled to said display means for actuating each indicia to visually display time information;   a manually operated switch having a single manually operated actuator; and   circuit means operated by said switch and coupled to the timekeeping circuit means and to the display indicia for effecting sequential and separate distinction of the indicia and for effecting separate and selective adjustment of the time information being displayed thereby by the single manually operated actuator being manually operated in a prescribed manner.